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So as you dove into this history, what was it that captured your attention and eventually brought you to the idea of writing a book that focused on Aisha?

Sherry Jones: It was the strength of the women that I was reading about – the intelligence, the courage, the participation of women in the early life of the Islamic community. Aisha’s sense of humor drew me to her right away. One of my favorite scenes is when Muhammad, who was angsting over whether he could marry Zaynab bint Jahsh, he said to Aisha, “Allah has given me permission to marry her.” And Aisha said, “My! Allah certainly hastens to do your bidding.” What a great comeback, and what a woman of verve. She was just so quick witted.

Also, her scholarly abilities... I had read that she could recite a thousand poems, and she knew all the recitations, all the Quran. She was a political advisor, not only to Muhammad, but to some of Muhammad’s successors. Her whole involvement in the political life of her community just fascinates me.

Web Sutera’s note: I don’t have any comment on this interview. Read it and open your mind and heart.

It ranks second in global natural gas reserves and has substantial oil reserves with plenty of growth potential in both energy sectors. This guarantees that the Islamic Republic will play a key long-term role in the world's increasingly important energy equation.

TheUnited Stateshas also been engaged in talks withTehranover how to stabiliseIraq- an acknowledgment thatIrancould hold the key to regional security. What doesIran's growing influence mean for its neighbours? Send your opinion toAljazeera.net.

My opinion is, yesIranwill be a major world’s power, with its Islamic root. That’s why United States(especiallyGeorge Bush) uses every effort and power at their disposal to restrain Iranfrom being a nuclear power with Iran’s nuclear program. For George Bush, only AmericaandIsraelwill have the right to own nuclear weapons. Such an arrogant head!

On June 21, 2008the Iranian envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltaniehas reported by Voice of America (http://voanews.com) says, “Iran's envoy to the United Nations nuclear agency says Iran is continuing with its nuclear program despite a multination offer of an incentives package if Tehran stops atomic activity." He says “the Islamic Republic will continue its nuclear enrichment program, reiterating the country's claim that it is for peaceful purposes.”